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PIA News Service - Thursday, June 9, 2011

All LGUs in Caraga complied with full disclosure policy – Sec. Robredo

by Robert E. Roperos

BUTUAN CITY, June 9 (PIA) -- Sec. Jesse Robredo of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) said local government units (LGUs) in Caraga Region have fully complied with the full disclosure policy of the national government.

"Some have partially complied," he said. "But still, they have complied and adhered with the policy."

DILG-Caraga Regional Director Atty. Rene K. Burdeos said what is important is that the LGUs support the national government's call for transparency and accountability in governance.

In a related development, Sec. Robredo said the TAPATAN (No holds barred) forum must be done regularly in all the LGUs in the country so that issues and concerns in the local level will be immediately addressed in the national level.

“We are conducting TAPATAN to create a culture of transparency starting in the local governance up to the national level.

TAPATAN stands for Take part in Accountable, Participative, Accessible, Transparent, Agenda for Newly-reformed local governance. (PIA-Caraga)

.DILG chief explains legal bases for the implementation of full disclosure policy

by Robert E. Roperos

BUTUAN CITY, June 9 (PIA) -- Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jesse Robredo on Wednesday discussed the legal basis for the implementation of full disclosure policy, a flagship program of the national government in achieving Participation, Accountability, Responsiveness and Transparency (PART) in governance.

Speaking before the local chief executives and employees of the local government units in Caraga Region during the TAPATAN here, Sec. Robredo emphasized that the full disclosure policy is the government’s policy requiring local government units (LGUs) to post their budgets and finances, bids and public offerings in government websites, newspapers of general circulation, and in conspicuous places within their localities.

Sec. Robredo also said the full disclosure policy will make people aware of how much public funds are available for the development of their communities. It also keeps people informed of how public funds are allocated and spent.

“This also minimizes, if not totally prevent corruption and misuse of funds, as well as promotes the guideposts for good governance – that is, the PART,” Robredo said.

Meanwhile, Robredo said Section 352 of the Local Government Code of 1991 requires the posting within 30 days from the end of each fiscal year in at least three publicly accessible and conspicuous places in the local government unit a summary of all revenues collected and funds received including the appropriations of such funds during the preceding fiscal year.

The DILG chief further said Republic Act No. 9184, known as the Government Procurement Reform Act, calls for the posting of the Invitation to Bid, Notice to Proceed and Approved Contract in the procuring entity’s premises, in newspapers of general circulation, the Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System (PhilGEPS) and the website of the procuring entity.

Furthermore, Robredo explained that Section 90 of Republic Act No. 10147 otherwise known as the General Appropriations Act for fiscal year 2011 re “Used and Disbursement of Internal Revenue Allotment of LGUs”, stipulates: “… Strict compliance with Sections 288 and 354 of R.A. No. 7160 and DILG Memorandum Circular No. 2010-83, entitled “Full Disclosure of Local Budget and Finances, and Bids and Public Offering, is hereby mandated provided that in addition to the publication or posting requirement under Section 352 of RA No. 7160 in three publicly accessible and conspicuous places in the local government unit, the LGUs shall also post the detailed information on the use and disbursement, and status of programs and projects in the LGUs websites.

Robredo added failure to comply with these requirements shall subject the responsible officials to disciplinary actions in accordance with existing laws.

Finally, Sec. Robredo said the internal memorandum of the Commission on Audit dated October 8, 2010, enjoined COA officials and auditors to monitor management’s compliance with DILG Memorandum Circular No. 2010-083, and any deviation therefrom or non-compliance therewith shall be a subject of an Audir Observation Memorandum, and eventually forms part of the Annual Audit Report or Management Letter, if necessary.

With the legal bases presented by Robredo, the official is hopeful that all chief executives should adhere to the policy of the Aquino Administration in an effort to stop corruption in the government. (PIA-Caraga)

.Agriculture Sec. Proseso Alcala set to visit Surigao del Sur

by Greg Tataro, Jr.

TANDAG CITY, June 9 (PIA) -- Department of Agriculture (DA) Sec. Proseso Alcala is set to visit Surigao del Sur for the first time on Saturday, June 11.

According to Provincial Agriculturist Mark Quico, Sec. Alcala is expected to arrive at 10 am to grace several agricultural-related programs and activities.

His itinerary includes: Talk at the farmers’ Forum; Project Visitation of the just completed P3M San Jose-Dayoan arm-to-market road (FMR) project in the boundary of Tandag and Tago under the support emergency Livelihood Assistance Program (SELAP); Gamut-Camagong potable water project funded by Mindanao Rural Development Program (MRDP) in Tago; and the Food Terminal in Bongtud, Tandag.

Sec. Alcala is also is set to a media briefing to discuss proposed projects in the province. This includes the P98M Hubo River Irrigation Project in San Agustin, and the P50M proposed concreting of San Jose-San Isidro Farm-to-Market Road in Tandag. (Radyo ng Bayan Tandag/PIA Surigao del Sur)

Reports that allegedly came from the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) claimed that elements of the 30IB destroyed houses, farm implements, and killed farm animals of the Mamanwas of Sitio Zapanta Valley while combat operations were conducted there.

Upon verification with the office of NCIP-CARAGA, regional director Dominador Gomez and his staff strongly denied having filed such a report. The report that their office released did not contain any such wrongful and abusive acts committed by 30IB troops.

“In all of our actions, we strictly follow the provisions of human rights, International Humanitarian Law and the rule of law over and above the AFP rules of engagement. In the case of Sitio Zapanta Valley, Brgy Bangayan, Kitcharao, Agusan del Norte, my troops conducted themselves as military professionals and focused on the tactical engagement of the armed elements of Guerrilla Front 16 and not on criminal acts as bandits and terrorists would,” declared Lamzon.

He described the report as baseless. “It is very easy to conjure such allegations which have no basis. The members of the AFP are mandated to provide protection for the communities especially the indigenous peoples against local terrorist threats, who are known to take advantage of them,” he said. (30IB, PA/FEA/PIA-Surigao del Norte)

.DAR Agusan del Sur to have kick-off events for the 23rd CARP anniversary this month

by David M. Suyao

AGUSAN DEL SUR, June 9 (PIA) -- The Department of Agrarian Reform in Agusan del Sur will kick off the 23rd CARP Anniversary celebrations this month with a thanksgiving mass today at 7:00 in the morning, followed by a motorcade around San Francisco.

The highlight of today’s activities will include awarding ceremony to honor DAR’s most outstanding agrarian reform beneficiaries, including the men and women of DAR who gave their exemplary performance for the year 2010-2011.

Aside from giving distinctions, a farmers’ forum or the agri-business venture agreement will also be conducted to be attended by some agrarian reform beneficiaries, cooperative members and other stakeholders. (PIA-Agusan del Sur).Cebuano News: Pangulong Aquino maoy manguna sa 113th selebrasyon sa Independence Day

”Let us not think that the significance of freedom is commemorated in just one day, it must be given importance everyday,” si Diokno miingon sa iyang panglantaw sa kamahinungdanon sa pagsaulog sa Philippine Independence.

”In any country in the world the projection of freedom is a work in progress. It is the obligation of every citizen to participate in gaining freedom,” dugang pa niya. (PIA-Surigao del Norte)